After Reedley Immanuel went ahead by four points midway through the third quarter, Helix coach John Singer decided to switch to a zone defense. It paid big dividends as the host Scotties downed the Eagles 80-69 in the Southern California Division IV basketball championship.

With Saturday’s victory, Helix (31-5) will advance to its first-ever state final, facing Northern champ Vallejo St. Patrick-St. Vincent at noon next Saturday at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

It wasn’t looking like the Scotties would make that trip, or win their 22nd straight game or go 16-0 at home when a 15-point second-quarter lead withered away as the Eagles flew past 48-44 in the third quarter behind hot-shooting Nate Kendricks.

“That number 12 is a player — he’s damn good,” said Singer. “He was just a monster. We changed to confuse them and defuse him.

“It was a physical game and we talk about taking punches and counter-punching. One thing I knew, no matter what we weren’t going to quit.”

Though Kendricks finished with 32 points, he collected just one field goal after the defensive switch. He had four first-half 3-point field goals to keep Immanuel (23-8) of the Central Section close. Zero after that.

Meanwhile, Helix, entering the fourth quarter with a slim 51-50 lead, looked to Dylan Lee. He responded with a pair of 3-point plays, pushing the lead to 63-54 with 3:45 to play. When Immanuel closed to within seven late, Lee buried 7 of 8 free throws, including four on one play after the Eagles were whistled for a technical.

Lee, who finished with 22 points, scored 14 in the fourth quarter.

“I was proud of how we came back,” said Lee, the hero of the section title game. “We weren’t boxing out on 12 so the switch helped.”

Lee led the way, but Jaylen Arnold had another monster game with 18 points and 10 rebounds while 6-9 junior Miles Norris added 19 points and 12 boards.

Brand is a freelance writer.

CAPTION

Hilltop wins 50-48.

Hilltop wins 50-48.

CAPTION

Hilltop wins 50-48.

Hilltop wins 50-48.

CAPTION

Granite Hills H.S. wins 8-7.

Granite Hills H.S. wins 8-7.

CAPTION

Saint Augustine wins 66-44.

Saint Augustine wins 66-44.

CAPTION

La Jolla wins 11-7. Followed by an interview with Ciara Franke from La Jolla

La Jolla wins 11-7. Followed by an interview with Ciara Franke from La Jolla

CAPTION

Anthony Sola is a Linebacker from Morse H.S. Ace Roach is a Quarterback from Rancho Buena Vista H.S.

Anthony Sola is a Linebacker from Morse H.S. Ace Roach is a Quarterback from Rancho Buena Vista H.S.